eight out of 10 French people say they are worried about climate change

Eight out of 10 French people say they are worried about climate change, according to the annual report from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) on the state of France, which appeared on Wednesday October 25 and which franceinfo was able to consult. Part of the report is in fact devoted to ecology and more particularly to eco-anxiety.

The report notes a gap in concern between men and women: 86% for women compared to 74% for men. On the other hand, age does not seem to influence this eco-anxiety. The study shows that there is no major difference between those under 35 and older people in this area.

Adherence to the circular economy

Faced with this anxiety, the report reveals that an overwhelming majority of French people want to act at their level: 80% of respondents affirm that minimizing their personal impact on the environment is a real concern. Concerning the fields of action, the adoption of circular economy actions comes first: recycling (90%), second-hand purchases (90%)… Then comes the modification of general consumption habits such as the reduction heating in winter (79%)…

However, the budget represents a barrier: 37% of French people say they do not have the means to adopt more virtuous behavior. For example, the purchase of an electric car comes at the bottom of the ranking of green actions considered by the French (65% do not, in fact, intend to make this purchase).

The Report on the State of France (RAEF) is the annual report of organized civil society. It aims to draw up a diagnosis of the economic, social and environmental situation in France, and the state of French men and women in the fall of 2023, to inform and influence public policies.